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Eating Thread Algae (Spirogyra): Cherry Barb vs. Rosy Barb

17212 Views 9 Replies 8 Participants Last post by  kharma, 
G
Hi,

I've seen various posts indicating Cherry Barb (Puntius titteya) and Rosy Barb (Puntius conchonius) may eat thread algae /Spirogyra. Rosy barb seems to be a quite larger fish & so would be more of a 'commitment' in terms of adding bioload.

So.. If I wanted to add 4-6 to my planted 90gal..which might I get & why? Or what are your observations / experience with these fish re: eating algae.

thanks for any feedback
growitnow
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NickS
I have the dreaded thread algae and the six rosy barbs I had never ate one bite of it.

I think you have to starve them to get them to eat it.
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chicken
My rosy barbs ate a good bit of algae. And then they developed a taste for plants. Not even anubias was safe from them --the mature leaves were too tough for them, but they would eat the developing leaves.
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mistergreen
They're not reliable algae eaters. They'll try to eat anything green when they feel like it. I'd fix your issue by removing the algae adjusting the light.
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G
Hi, yes working on fix. Just figured to add some cleaning crew to help & I've seen Rosy/Cherry barbs listed as potentials :)
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mistergreen
Cherries won't eat algae.
Try SAE or the obnoxious flagfish (semi-aggressive).
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C
chicken said:
My rosy barbs ate a good bit of algae. And then they developed a taste for plants.
Click to expand...
This was my experience with them. I added six and was psyched that they immediately started eating hair algae... it wasn't long before they turned on my fine leaved plants and back to the LFS they went.
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S
I used to have rosy barb. Eventhough I saw them nibbling at thread algae, it doesn't put a dent to them. You'll be disappointed if you want them just for algae control. Hand removal is the best thing.
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TLE041
Amano shrimps are excellent at eating thread algae IME. I like them because they're larger than other shrimps (better at not being eaten) and have great personality.
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K
mistergreen said:
Cherries won't eat algae.
Try SAE or the obnoxious flagfish (semi-aggressive).
Click to expand...
2 of my cherries pick at my algae all the time... Maybe they are just weird...
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